Electrical connecter



Feb. 13, 1934. H. A. DOUGLAS ELECTRICAL CONNECTER Filed May 9, 1932 Patented Feb. 13, 1934 UNITED I STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to electrical connecters and more particularly to junction snap connec ters.

Among other objects, the invention aims to provide an economical and eflicient all-metal junction member having interengaging elements adapted to efiect a snap connection with other circuits continuing elements.

The invention will be explained by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is an elevational view of my improved connecter with a plurality of circuit continuing wires associated therewith;

Figure 2 is a view of the structure of Figure 1 partially in section with one of the wires removed and is a section taken along the line 2-2 Figure 3;

Figure 3 is a section taken along the line 33 of Figure 2 partially in elevation; and

Figure 4 is-an end view of the structure of Figure 2 but showing the wire terminal plug in section.

The illustrative snap connecter embodies a T shape metal junction member 1 which includes an interengaging element such as the plug 2 constituting the leg of the T and two other interengaging elements such as the plug receiving sockets 3 and 4 which constitute the head ofthe T and are oppositely directed to the first element 2. The sockets 3 and 4 are adapted to receive with a snap action the plugs 5 and 6 which are the metallic terminals of current conducting insulated wires 7 and 8 respectively. The plug 2, which is similar to the plugs 5 and 6 is adapted to be received in a metallic socket (not shown) similarly to the plugs 5 and 6. Thus the connecter 1 constitutes a two-way circuit. continuing device by which parallel circuits may be continued through each of the wires 7 and 8.

As here shown, the head portion of the connecter forming the sockets 3 and 4 may be an integral piece of metal conveniently stamped, i'or example, and drawn to the hollow shape illustrated and affording the two somewhat cylindrical end portions which constitute the sockets 3 and 4 comiected by a central portion 9. The central portion 9 may advantageously receive a spring barrel 10 which houses at each end the dome-shape detents 11 and 12 which are pressed apart outwardly of the barrel by the coil spring 13 also housed therein. Inwardly turned flanges 14 at each end of the barrel 10 engage laterally directed flanges 15 on the detents to limit movement of the detents outwardly oi the barrel. The hollow portion 9 may be provided with integral ears 16 which parallel the spring barrel 10 and may be bent together over the barrel to secure the latter tightly in the hollow portion 9 and in position so that the detents 11 and 12 project respectively into the interiors of the sockets 3 and 4 to yieldingly engage the plugs 5 and 6 respectively.

.The plugs 2, 5 and 6 may have conventional bulbous tips 17 to snap over spring pressed detents such as the detents 11 and 12, the plugs being provided with an annular groove such as the grooves 18 into which the spring pressed detents snap, these grooves being desirably arcuate longitudinally of the plugs to conform to the contour of the detents. The plugs may be separated from their respective sockets by pulling firmly thereupon.

When the plugs 5 and 6 are pushed home into their respective sockets 3 and 4 as shown, their cone-shape tips 17 desirably extend through the apertures 19 in the far end of the sockets 3 and 4, the margins of these apertures providing laterally directed flanges which engage the coneshape tips 1'? and limit the extent of insertion of the plugs in the sockets to substantially a position in which the detents are received in the grooves'18. By reason of the apertures 19, also, the length of the sockets may be decreased, since the plugs 5 and 6 are in overlapping relation with each other and with the plug 2.

The plug 2 may be either, integral with the portion 9 of the connecter or, as here shown, may conveniently be riveted centrally thereto as at 20, in which case the base of the plug 2 is desirably enlarged as at 21 to enhance its stability. If desired, the riveted connection may be reinforced by solder.

Having described an embodiment of my invention, I claim:

A two way electrical connecter comprising a sheet metal member bent to form two parallel sockets, said sockets each having an apertured end wall; a bulbous metallic terminal plug snugly received in each socket and having a cone-shape tip projecting through the said aperture; detents carried by the member to yieldingly retain the plugs in the sockets; and a third metallic terminal plug similar to the first mentioned plugs fixedly secured to the member between the sockets and projecting in the same direction beyond the first mentioned plugs, whereby the first mentioned plugs are in overlapping relation with each other and with the third plug.

HARRY A. DOUGLAS. 

